Competition BBQ and a centerfold are terms I would never imagine in the same sentence. Yet the KCBS‘s monthly national publication The BullSheet has managed to pull it off this year. Each month they have been spotlighting a team with a short bio and some fun questions. Swamp Boys are humbled and thankful to have been selected for the May spotlight, which coincidently is National Barbecue Month. Thank you KCBS and Amanda Bowman!

The first Swamp Boys Q School for 2018 is scheduled!

March 17-18, 2018 is the date for my Q School to be held in Winter Haven, lakefront on Lake Cannon. Come enjoy the perfect weather and learn what I have learned over the past 14 years of competition barbecue. The only 3-time Florida BBQ Association Team of the Year, and 2017 TOTY.

This techniques class will cover both ‘hot and fast’ and ‘low and slow’ methods. FBA and KCBS covered. You want to be the best bbq’r in your neighborhood? Come see me, I’ll make it happen. You want to improve your competition cooking? Let’s do it.

Print the application below (March_18 QSchool), fill it out and mail it in with your check. Need to pay with a credit card? Use the PayPal link. A PayPal account is not required. The PP fee will be added to your total. Still must mail in the application.

Swamp Boys bbq team had a very blessed year in 2017. The experiences I get to have with friends and family are truly unforgettable. I’m so thankful. I’m especially thankful for earning the Florida BBQ Association Team of the Year ’17. This marks my 3rd time winning it, in two different decades.Here’s my year by the numbers:

28 contests in 5 states – FL, GA, AL, TN, and CA

FBA TOTY

7 Grand Championships, 3 Reserve Grands

19 Top 5 Overalls

14 category 1st place calls

Vended as well as competed at 4 contests

Taught 3 Swamp Boys Q Schools

Final TOTY Standings. I was in 2nd place up until the final contest.

One of the things that won’t show up in the numbers that I’m really proud of was earning an invitation to every major invitational in the country. The American Royal, Sonny’s, The Jack, and the King of the Smoker. We were able to travel and compete in all but the American Royal.

Regarding KCBS I was able to compete in 5 contests. Out of over 2,200 teams in my division (5 or less contests) Swamp Boys placed 8th overall for the year, and we were the 2nd place rib team (Smithfield ribs baby!). I’m pretty happy with that considering 2 of those contests we were vending, which means I was cooking food for thousands of people, as well as the 6 judges.

Finally a big shout out to my amazing sponsors! Products from each of them are integral to my team, and I’m thankful for their support.

Deep South Smokers – simply the best quality and performance smokers. 100% usable interior space, the most even temp’d cooker I’ve ever used. Built by hand in the USA.

Grizzly Coolers – I’m proud to be an ambassador for the best coolers on the market. Made in the USA. Lifetime Warranty. Try to top that.

The BBQ Guru – Hands down the best thermostat/draft system for smokers anywhere. I’ve been using them since they started back in the early 2000s. Makes minding your pit incredibly easy and produces consistent results.

Butcher BBQ – David Bouska has lived and breathed meat and BBQ most of his life and his products reflect that. He’s used his knowledge to produce some amazing injections, rubs, sauces and oils. I use his products every contest and am proud to be a Pro Staff team.

Smithfield – The best ribs and pork I can put my hands on. They just win. And they are super easy to find locally! Check your WalMart and Sam’s Clubs, they should carry Smithfield products.

Mac’s Meats and Produce – My favorite meat place ever! Family owned and operated, quality customer service and prices. Tell them I sent you.

I’ve been competing at Sebring for a number of years now and it’s almost always rotten weather. This year it was great and I had a real nice time. I tried some new sauce on chicken and ribs and it seemed to do pretty well. Out of 30 teams I scored a 6th in chicken, 1st in ribs, 15th pork, and 3rd brisket which earned me Reserve Grand Champion!

I also scored enough points to move into 3rd place in the Florida BBQ Association’s Team of the Year final standings. Since 2007 I have finished 2nd, 1st, 1st, 4th and 3rd out of over 200 teams, which I’m pretty proud of 🙂

It has been a rather unremarkable competition year for me to date. The only contest that I was satisfied with my results was the one in Sebring, where I finished Reserve Grand Champ with a 1st in Ribs. The weather at awards was brutally cold, in the low 30’s with a damp north blow. That was my first contest of the year, and it has been a challenge ever since.

Following that we had the FBA “Celebrate Last Year” party which was fun. The whole team came along and we had a great time in Lake City, where we received the coveted FBA Team of the Year award for the second year in a row. This is a very tough award to win, as it takes a lot of time and commitment to be able to cook enough contests, and do well enough in them to win. While it would be nice to take aim at a third TOTY in 2010, I’m not sure I’m up for it. I missed out on a lot of family stuff in 2009, which I don’t want to do again. There will always be more bbq contests, but you only get one chance with your children. Good luck to you guys!